7 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality This Winter
With the winter approaching and the weather getting colder and harsher, there’s a good chance you’re going to be spending a considerable amount of time indoors over the next few months. During these days at home, you probably will also have your home sealed up tight with the thermostat turned up so that you and the other members of your household can stay warm and cozy. Unfortunately, this situation creates poorer home ventilation, which can lead the quality of your indoor air to become stagnant. Since you’re going to be breathing this air consistently, it’s important to find ways to improve the indoor air quality inside your home. Fortunately, there are a handful of simple steps you can take to achieve this, and we’ll walk you through them here.
1. Dust and Clean Your Home
It’s a good idea to clean your home of dust on a regular basis year-round, but perhaps the best time to do so is when the winter is approaching. If left unchecked, particles of dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate all over the surfaces of your home, which will inevitably lead to it being kicked up and circulated into the air. When these irritants get into your home’s air, they can cause respiratory issues, as well as itchy eyes and allergy flare-ups. Take the time to wipe down any dusty surfaces with a wet rag, and if possible, take any cushions or rugs outside to beat them together and shake them free of dust.
2. Schedule Furnace Maintenance
Scheduling regular, professional furnace maintenance is very important for a few reasons, but many people don’t realize that it can improve a home’s indoor air quality as well. During these maintenance tune-ups, your furnace will be tweaked to operate at a higher level of efficiency. This allows it to circulate warm air through your home much more easily, without being nearly as likely to kick up dust and dirt particles into your home’s air. Regular furnace maintenance is a small investment that can reward you with major dividends, improved air quality just being one of the many benefits.
3. Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Your HVAC system relies on your home’s ductwork to circulate the air that warms or cools the house. This includes your furnace, which you’ll likely be using quite regularly during the cold part of the year. However, if your ductwork is damaged or dirty, it can have a negative impact on the quality of your air. For one thing, if the ducts contain leaks, it can allow for unconditioned, lower-quality air to seep into the rest of the house. On the other hand, if the ducts contain too many irritants, such as dust, pollen, or other debris, the air will pick these particles up while circulating through, resulting in poor indoor air quality. Consider bringing in a local professional to handle your duct inspection and/or cleaning. In the Sandy, UT area, our ventilation experts at One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning will do a thorough, high-quality job for you.
4. Purchase an Air Purifier
If you’re spending a lot of time indoors this winter, an air purifier is likely a worthwhile investment for your home. These purifiers are designed to trap and remove any pollutants and irritants that are present in your air, and they do so automatically and without using up much energy at all. The more advanced units will be able to detect the quality level of the room’s air and adjust their fan speed and settings to fit their current needs. Because they’re small and inexpensive, you can even consider purchasing one for every main room or area of your home. Air purifiers help ensure that the entire household has clean, irritant-free air.
5. Use a Humidifier
Your home’s air doesn’t necessarily have to contain excessive irritants or pollutants to be harmful. If your home’s air is too dry, this can cause problems too. It’s not uncommon at all for the air to become much drier during the winter months. Not only does this lack of moisture in the oxygen make your home feel colder, but it also can cause throat irritation, as well as dry skin, eyes, and mouth. In fact, overly dry air can even be bad for your furniture! Installing a humidifier will quickly add moisture to the air in your home, helping you warm up and creating a more comfortable environment.
6. Add Indoor Plants
Did you know that adding houseplants to your home can improve the quality of your air? There are a wide variety of plants, usually available for a low price, that can help work to remove pollutants from the air in your home. For maximum effectiveness, you will probably need to spread these indoor plants out through the different areas of your home but doing so can make a significant difference. It’s important to do a bit of research first as to which kinds of plants will have the greatest impact. Adding plants to your home will create a nice aesthetic, while also providing cleaner air.
7. Periodically Open Your Windows
Obviously, when the weather is cold outside, it isn’t going to be practical to have your home’s windows open on a regular basis. However, if they’re always closed and your home is always sealed tight, you run the risk of your air becoming stagnant. However, if you can stand to open your windows for a short period of time once a day, or even a couple of times a week, it can help improve the air quality in your home. This is because the air quality outside tends to be better than it is inside, and having a few windows open allows some of that cleaner outside air to blend with the indoor air inside your house.
At One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning, we have been providing the residents of the greater Sandy area with fast, friendly, efficient heating and cooling services since 2000. We make it our constant goal to provide our customers with the best possible service, and to always do so at an affordable price. We strive to always be upfront and honest because we want you to feel like you’re doing business with a friend, not with a car salesperson. Our skilled technicians are passionate about what they do, which makes it easy for them to put real effort and dedication into making sure that you and everyone in your household remain comfortable all year long.
Our team can help you with all your indoor air quality needs. And when your heating or cooling systems need professional work, you want to put the job in the hands of local professionals that truly care about your wellbeing. Our staff at One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning fit the bill, so call us up today and schedule an appointment with one of our friendly professionals.
